This review was for a fantastic brunch today where we dined outside with some dolmas and Mediterranean Breakfast plate. Let's start with the dolmas. I don't know what the green sauce was drizzled ontop of the dolmas, but it was delightful. I _think_ it was some kind of pesto, but I'm not sure. The dolmas were perfection, and I even ate the lemon pulp with the green sauce because it paired perfectly. Next up, the omlet with the grilled salmon and fresh pita.. I don't know what the red spice was, but the flavor was perfect, the salmon was moist and tender. The cucumbers were just the right amount of crunch, though the tomatoes were a little overripe for me. My husband enjoyed it all though. The portions were perfect for splitting between the 2 of us. I paired this with the fresh brewed iced tea and it was perfect. This isn't a ritzy place, it's a nice drop in for casual food and chat. The seating outside has shade and comfy seats and they have bowls for water for your dog if needed. If only Los Altos closed their main street from driving and followed in Mountain View's downtown feels this would be epic. read more

Cozy ambiance with kind staff. Opted for the falafel salad. Falafel was crispy and didn't feel greasy, but was small. Pita bread was super fresh. Salad was also fresh. read more

Cafe Nur - Veggie Moussaka - Mediterranean Near Me - Los Altos, California

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They were very accommodating and reassuring about which items were gluten free. Also received complementary tea! The owner and works were very nice and welcoming. read more

4.6/5: The Falafel plate is pricey but good: $19. Falafel flavor is great; not super crunchy but good enough. Salad is good. The hummus and baba ganouj are OK. The pita is nicely heated up. I recommend an extra pita: $3. 4.0: Nutella crepe. Pretty good. 1.0: The Turkish coffee is very weak. read more

Cafe Nur - Nutella crepe $10 and Turkish coffee $5 - Mediterranean Near Me - Los Altos, California

3.5 stars. didn't realize how bad my pictures were lol. stumbled upon this place to have a quick working lunch. we ordered lentil soup, falafel, and a salmon wrap. salmon wrap seems pretty fresh and not greasy - very simple wrap. lentil soup wasn't bad either but wasn't spectacular either. falafel was a bit salty tho altho very fresh looking. read more

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Cafe Nur has some great food options. I almost always go for falafel, and it's always good. They have indoor and outdoor seating and service is pretty fast. Would recommend! read more

Delicious food and very family friendly. Owner encouraged our daughter to finish her kebab and gave her a treat for finishing it; which we really appreciated. read more

I came here for their gluten free moussaka. It was delicious! My dad loved his home made pita bread and his lamb chop dish. The owner was so kind, the ambience was nice and calm, the service was excellent. We will definitely be back! read more

I frequent downtown Los Altos and always make it a point to stop by Cafe Nur. Their food is delicious, staff is kind and their prices are reasonable given the quality of their food. Today I ordered their Greek salad with chicken. The chicken was so moist and flavorful and the salad had romaine lettuce, diced cucumber, tomato, olives, feta and the most delicious green dressing. It was accompanied by pita and a piece of watermelon which was such a nice surprise. I also had tea as I waited, it had a beautiful aroma and was very smooth with a slight herbal flavor. I came here at 12:30 and was able to get my food in about 10 minutes. They are always quick which is great especially during lunch time. The restaurant is beautifully decorated and has the option for outside dining. Give Cafe Nur a try on your next trip to downtown Los Altos, they are worth the visit. read more

Cafe Nur - Greek salad with chicken - Mediterranean Near Me - Los Altos, California

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$~28. Turkish Breakfast. Dish flavors and quality was fine, the value wasn't strong enough for a repeat. I'd probably try the shaksuka with a side of sujouk. But even then, that's over 30 for breakfast. We came for the breakfast buffet which is advertised on their menu and front window, but was told it's no longer offered. Counter order, grab your own water and utensils. Pick a table. We arrived when they opened and it was relaxed and quaint. Someone in the party ordered a side dish of hummus, tzatziki, & baba ghanouj. The first two were standard, but the the BG was one of the best. It was freshly made and had a great texture and overall flavor. It wasn't my dish, so I tried not to embarrass myself by eating all of it. Free black tea at the end of the meal is traditional and a nice touch. It was appreciated. I wish them continued success. read more

Cafe Nur - Mediterranean Near Me - Los Altos, California

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Living close by and not sure why we haven't been here before!! Amazing Turkish food in a beautiful setting. It is supposed to be casual dining and the setting, good and presentation stands out as more!!! We opted for the special of the day lamb and kofte platter and sat outside on a beautiful Friday evening and excited that downtown Los Altos had the Friday night buzz with many diners out!! The food was prepared in a timely manner, the presentation was beautiful (see pictures), and the taste was amazing. Not sure why some reviewers complained about the meat not being juicy, both the kofte and lamb were full of flavor and juicy!! The sides of babaganush and hummus was amazing as well. Wish we could have tried the desserts. Maybe next time... BTW, was tempted to try the Turkish breakfast for dinner and decided to go back for breakfast once... read more

Cafe Nur - Outside - Mediterranean Near Me - Los Altos, California

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My girl and I are in the Bay Area frequently. We have been exploring the different Main Streets in the cities of the peninsula. We landed in Los Altos Friday afternoon. What a charming district. We love to Thrift so the Discovery store was our first stop. Then we realized we were famished and we strolled across the street based on the recommendation of the lady behind the counter at the Discovery store! Cafe Nur was deserted at 1:30 in the afternoon. We both ordered the lamb and beef gyros, I had the plate she got the wrap. I also got us an order of the baklava (2 pieces). My lunch was spectacular. The meat was a perfect portion of well seasoned, tender meat, with a glorious salad and the rice pilaf was delicious! The wrap was the exact same ingredients, but was a tender envelope of soft flat bread. The baklava was stuffed with pistachio perfection, crispy and sweet. The small cups of hot tea were a dreamy accompaniment. The flavors were so authentic, the service was fast and efficient! We sat on the patio and enjoyed a beautiful afternoon! We like Los Altos very much. I think we may make this a regular stop on our way to Half Moon Bay! read more

Cafe Nur - Yummy Mediterranean Food for lunch! - Mediterranean Near Me - Los Altos, California

Great service, food, friendly staff. The owners are very welcoming. I like the outside seating, they also sell halva from turkey and olives which I bought. read more

Cafe Nur - LAMB BEEF SHAWERMA PLATE - Mediterranean Near Me - Los Altos, California

Amazing land beef doner wrap Very tasty and juicy full of delicious lamb beef wrap Definitely I will come back again read more

Cafe Nur - Mediterranean Near Me - Los Altos, California

The lamb shanks are fantastic! Everything was so deliciously cooked, and the staff ended our meal with a nice cup with tea. Tables and chairs were covered with sun blocking umbrellas. Will definitely come back again. read more

While this was our first time here, it won't be our last. Excellent food, portions are large and easily shareable. The service is prompt and friendly. They have a really nice outdoor seating area and are dog friendly. read more

My good friend and I come here monthly for our catch up days. He's a vegetarian and still manages to find the food super tasty. The people who work here are very kind and brought us tea to enjoy with our dessert. Ask for extra olives. They make everything taste better! read more

Cafe Nur - Mediterranean Near Me - Los Altos, California

Great service and I like the decor as well. Now for the food - we had breakfast here and it did not disappoint! The eggs had very good spices to it. The pita bread was OK but the rest of the food made up for it. Meat is halal. .- Try it out ! We had the Turkish breakfast for two - which was also reasonably priced! read more

Cafe Nur - Turkish Breakfast!! - Mediterranean Near Me - Los Altos, California

Staple and great food here. DH and I are all about the platters. He loves the chicken gyro and chicken shish and I am down with the veg shish and salmon platter. We love the seasoned and buttery rice and the salad dressing isn't overpowering either. Everything is made to order so expect to wait. My advice: order by phone and pick up or you can check out the other shops downtown. I've been coming here for at least 10 years and just tickled that they are still downtown after the Covid nonsense. They have loyal customers and it's definitely worth becoming one of them read more

When it comes to Mediterranean food, I usually play it 'safe' and stick with chicken or beef plates/wraps. I decided to try the chicken gryo plate and it did not disappoint. Everything was super fresh and tasty, but wasn't a huge fan of the pita breads or the sauce/hot sauce given with the orders. Not that those things will keep me from coming back in the future, but I have had other places, that in my opinion have better pita bread. The rice was super good and not at all dry. Nice and fluffy, almost buttery. The chicken was seasoned and marinated well and not a dry piece on the plate. Salad was super fresh and tasty as well! In the heart of downtown Los Altos with a bunch of other delicious spots to try. If you are close by, check them out! read more

Cafe Nur - Chicken gyro plate - Mediterranean Near Me - Los Altos, California

"Nur" means light in Arabic, and this cafe, so aptly named, offers an array of eats with middle eastern flair and flavor and packed with nuanced and rich flavor that shines bright. The owner of the cafe was so gracious and helpful. He showed us a sheet with images printed out of all of this cafe's offerings. It was so hard to pick!! I chose a lamb and shawarma wrap that was outstanding. I liked the crisp on the outside of the wrap. The sauce was somewhat creamy, similar to a pesto, with a bit of an umame/vinegar kick. Veggies were chopped up to just the right size, so they each bite was flavor wrapped. Outside seating available, with impressive mahogany, lacquered tables, and beautiful indoor seating with oil printings, chandeliers and stylish burnished yellow walls, though I'm not sure indoor seating is open, as all patrons sat outside. The owner personally stopped at each table handing out mint teas, a classic middle eastern treat. A great place!! read more

Cafe Nur was delicious. I had their beef and lamb rice plate. It was delicious, filling and had a refreshing salad. Certainly worth a visit for your next lunch. read more

The most kind staff. Went over the top to accommodate and make this a special experience. I have been here for dinner multiple times and the food has always been a 10/10. Just enjoyed brunch for the first time and it was the best shakshuka I have ever had! Must try!! read more

Cafe Nur - 10/10 shakshuka - Mediterranean Near Me - Los Altos, California

Fresh, clean, but wouldn't go there again if there are other options. A bit pricier since it's in downtown

I ordered a couple of items from this place yesterday, my 1st time: A chocolate Nutella crepe- I loved the crepe too bad it was cold but the time it arrived at m5 place. Very thick with lots and lots of nutella. The only thing I didn't like was that the edges were burn a bit or tasted burnt Hummus and pita bread- the hummus was soooo good that I woke up and ate the rest of it for breakfast this morning, absolutely delicious Lentil soup- the soup was delicious still have a ton left I would order their crepe and hummus again. read more

Cafe Nur - Mediterranean Near Me - Los Altos, California

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While in the Los Altos downtown, we were looking for a spot to eat and found this on Yelp. It was a nice find. We enjoyed the food on the hot day and sat outside under the umbrellas on the benches. I ordered a greek salad with chicken and it was very good and fresh. It came with few pieces of bread on the side. The service was great. I would recommend! read more

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Thé staff here is very friendly and the food comes out incredibly fast. The food the food the food! Always fresh and made to order. Absolutely delicious and flavorful and worth the kinda pricey prices. read more

Cafe Nur - Chicken Gyros Salad - Mediterranean Near Me - Los Altos, California

Finally had an opportunity to stop in for a late lunch. Was pleasantly surprised how fresh and flavorful the food was. I had the salmon entrée with a wonderful salad, very fresh wonderful dressing and the hummus appetizer and then they brought out a complementary Turkish tea. Would definitely come back again. read more

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The appetizer menu at Cafe Nur started off like this: 1. Hummus (garbanzo bean dip) 2. Baba Ghanouj (eggplant dip) 3. Eggplant Salad (eggplant with fresh herbs, parsley, garlic, bell peppers) 4. Lobi (green beans with onion, tomatoes, garlic) 5. Tzatziki (yogurt with cucumber, oregano, dill) 6. Dolma (grape leaves stuffed with rice) 7. Potato Salad (potatoes with onion, parsley, lemon juice) 8. Tabouleh (cracked wheat, tomatoes, bell pepper, red onion, parsley) And then there was #9: "Mediterranean Combo: Combination of all the above." Upon reading this, my heart leapt for joy! ALL eight appetizers on one plate?? I always have a hard time deciding what to order from restaurant menus, because there are often so many different things I want to try, so I absolutely love combination platters that come with a little bit of everything! All the dips here (hummus, baba ghanouj, tzatziki) were on the runny side but went nicely with the thin pita bread that came on the side, along with a squirt of the hot sauce sitting at every table. The tabouleh was particularly chewy from the bulgur, and my favorite appetizers were the lobi (green beans), eggplant salad, and the potato salad, each of which were boldly and distinctively spiced with just the right balance of flavors! In addition to the combo appetizer platter, I also tried the Combo Mixed Grill (I guess this restaurant knows exactly how to cater to indecisive people like me), which came with lamb & beef gyros, Adana kebab (minced lamb), a chicken shish kebab, and a lamb shish kebab, along with rice, pita, and a bright salad made of romaine, cucumbers, and tomatoes, topped with red onions and red cabbage. My favorite components of this plate were the juicy, perfectly spiced Adana kebab and the salad, which had a refreshing crunch and a tangy, creamy dressing. Overall, this was a great pick for casual Greek/Turkish Mediterranean food in Los Altos, and the variety platters were definitely my go-to! read more

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The salad was DELICIOUS! Homemade dressing, was so pleasantly surprised. SO GOOD! The place is simple, has outdoor seating which is nice. They even brought us some hot tea after our meal which was very nice. WE all agreed food was great! read more

My second visit! I didn't deviate very much from what I ordered last time and got the chicken gyros plate (chicken, rice, pita, salad). The white rice, while unassuming, had a good seasoning. I think I like the chicken gyros salad better though because I just like more veggies. I also tried the sauce available at the table which had a spicy-smokey-ness reminiscent of steak sauce. Interesting for sure, but went with everything. Pita was very slightly warmed and a little burnt. Not my favorite pita. Again, chicken was tasty and the salad greens were crisp, which for me is a HUGE plus. This girl does not like wilting lettuce. Help yourself to water and utensils at the counter. The waiter was nice and brought the tea tumblers again, so maybe that's a regular thing. The inside space has orange walls and is a little dark, so maybe I'll try the patio next time. read more

it was a very rainy saturday evening, but fortunately, my party of 7 was cozy and warm inside this restaurant, even sitting next to a fireplace! i had a reservation for 1800 but honestly, i don't think i needed it b/c when i arrived, the restaurant was pretty empty...i'm going to chalk it up to the very bad weather that day, heavy rain and cold temps! here, you order & pay at the cashier, then they bring you the food. hubby and i ordered the mediterranean combo ($18.95) to share with everyone: little bit of everything, hummus, baba ghanouj, eggplant salad, lobi, tzatziki, dolma, potato salad, and tabouleh. this came with a basket of warm pita bread which paired great with everything above. my favourites were the hummus and baba ghanouj. for myself, i ordered salmon souvlaki plate ($20.95). instead of rice and salad, i skipped the rice and just opted for more salad, since i was getting plenty of carbs with the warm, chewy pita bread! i received a generous plate of food, with a nicely grilled salmon filet and a heaping mound of salad, with their house dressing on the side. the dressing was some sort of citrus, which not only paired well with the salad, but was perfect for the salmon. i ate every bite of the salmon, and most of the salad...got too full from the pita and combo plate appetizer! for dessert, one of our friends bought two plates of baklava. i was actually too full to eat any dessert, but everyone else had a couple pieces and all agreed the baklava was excellent, especially with the extra pistachio garnish. i enjoyed my meal here and am excited to return for either another dinner or perhaps breakfast, since they have a nice looking mediterranean and turkish breakfast menu! read more

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We came in on a weekday evening after strolling the downtown streets. The cafe is located in a cute downtown, but everything closes really early on the weekdays. Therefore, we had an easy time finding parking. If you want to walk around a bit first, I'd recommend coming on a weekday afternoon when the downtown area is more lively. The cafe itself is pretty large and comprises of two rooms. The rooms are decorated beautifully and feel pretty spacious. The tables are spread out and there is ample room for them, so it doesn't feel cramped at all. We ordered the potato salad, which had a really interesting and spiced taste. It's an appetizer, but the portion is pretty large. We also got the chicken platter. The chicken was cooked really well, and I loved the buttered rice. Finally we got a desert. The people working there were super sweet and gave us teas after the desert as well, which balanced the very syrupy and sweet desert perfectly. I'll definitely be coming back whenever I find myself in town, if not for the great food, but also the wonderful service and nice ambiance. read more

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We were looking for something healthy and tasty, and as we walked through downtown Los Altos, we stumbled across this quaint little restaurant! We got a chicken gyro and spilt it. It was perfectly filling for me and I didn't feel too full with all the chicken I ate. I rather have veggies and get full off those than any animal products. lol I loved all the teas and spices they also had for sale as well. Hee very cute with a home-like feel. read more

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We live near Los Altos in southwest Palo Alto, and we have a wide choice of restaurants. Nur is one of our favorites. and we keep coming back. The food is delicious and healthy, the environment is colorful, interesting, and relaxing, and the owner is wonderful! We've watched him improve the restaurant continuously and expand its size over the last couple of decades. He remembered us on our second visit, and now even remembers what we are likely to order. All the salads are great, you can't get better tasting rice anywhere, and the baklava is impossible to resist -- and I'm not a dessert person! I see some tepid comments stating that one doesn't get enough value for what a meal at Nur costs. Nonsense! Renting restaurant space in Los Altos is expensive! But if you live nearby, this is a GREAT restaurant to go to for a VERY good meal at a reasonable price, for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. I've had Turkish food in a lot of different cities, and Nur is on a par with the best! read more

Last night (2024 Christmas) a friend and myself went downtown to have an afternoon Christmas lunch. I live in this town but had never gone to Cafe Nur. I did some research ahead of time and the reviews looked quite good. The problem was, I had some brain-fog and we ended up in the wrong restaurant but didn't know it and stayed for an early dinner. The owner/bartender helped us pick out our food on a large list of items, located at his register. I had expected sitting down first and then going through the menu. We also had to pay, before we sat down. He had one of the latest gadgets that show the amount due and how much to tip. I always tip AFTER the meal is finished, not before. I read somewhere that TIP means "To Insure Prompt service". I didn't really have a clue as to what Greek items we had ordered, but it did taste quite good. Another major negative that I have to tell about, and that is, the temperature that day was around 53 degrees, and the entrance door was wide open! The restaurant was very cold and had several flies buzzing our table. So, there we were, eating a nice dinner, freezing our butts off and swatting at flies. Here's a little advice to the friendly owner . . . close the door when it's cold, have a menu in English, and tell the waiter to visit the table sometimes, oh, and maybe pass out fly swatters to your customers. read more

3.5 stars It's been a while since I've eaten here but I had a hankering for beef/lamb gyros and I do like the way Cafe Nur prepares it. I ordered a side of gyros $8 and a chicken gyros with salad lunch for my teen. The chicken is thinly sliced and is a generous portion - it's a bit too dry for me. I far prefer the beef/lamb gyros. Maybe we should have sucked it up to buy hummus for $7 more. Be nice if they have smaller sides of that available. This normally does come with a bit of pita bread which we asked to omit. The owner did notice that ours had the bread in it that we did request to be left out and instead of just taking it off - they did make a new batch of chicken which we do appreciate as gluten is no go for us. Cross contamination is an issue. Food was pretty quickly prepared - a bit pricer than we normally pay but Los Altos is gotta have some high rents. They are doing takeout for lunch and probably dinner too during SIP. read more

Cafe Nur - Hummus, cucumber with yogurt, baba ganosh and dolmas - Mediterranean Near Me - Los Altos, California

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Wonderful food! Nice, fresh and the falafels are amazing! Highly recommended. The owner Yusef is always a joy and frequently dines with this patrons- showing how strangers become family at this Los Altos restaurant read more

Fantastic platter, really friendly owner and staff Loved their hummus platter. The owner recommended vegetable skewer with it which worked really well together. The Turkish tea and Turkish coffee were great was well. We sat for hours outside catching up with friends and the owner was kind to refill out tea and chit chat with us and brought candles to help with our ambience read more

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Fresh, healthy and delicious Turkish food in downtown Los Altos. Outside patio seating. Order inside at be counter. Huge menu with lots of options. Very friendly staff and they walked through the menu. The falafel is crunchy on the outside and moist inside. The yogurt sauce was a bit too salty and garlicky for me. read more

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